Tuning device for radioreceivers



Dec. l0, 1935. C;l E. PASCHAU 2,023,853

TUNING DEVICE FOR RADIORECEIVERS Filed Nov. 25, 1932 2 shees-sheet 1 DeC- 10, 1935- c; E. PAscHALl TUNING DEVICE FOR RADIORECEIVERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "'E Filed Nov. 25, 1932 Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to tuning devices for radio receivers and one of the objects is to automatically tune a receiver to selected radio broadcasting stations at predetermined time intervals.

Radio broadcasting stations usually operate on definite schedules, that is, broadcast programs are changed at definite times; for example, at one-quarter hour, one-half hour or hour intervals. Moreover, it is customary to broadcast similar programs on corresponding days each week, that is to say, the programs on each Monday substantially correspond and this is true of other days in the week. Inasmuch as the nature of the programs broadcast in succession from a station often varies and since listeners often desire to have programs of aparticular kind, it is customary to frequently re-tune receivers. Moreover, listeners usually prefer to hear certain programs on corresponding days each week. It is, therefore, an important object of my invention to tune a radio receiver automatically as the programs change and to choose similar programs as they are broadcast from time to time.

Another object is to provide a novel control for the tuning of a radio receiver to automatically select corresponding programs 'at similar times,

say for example, on corresponding days each week.

Further objects are to provide a device including a novel removable member which may be set up in a predetermined manner prior to installation; wherein one such member may be expeditiously substituted for another to vary the -automatic operation of the device so that different members can be permanently set up to be stored when not in use; wherein the receiver may be automatically rendered operative or shut off as is desired; and wherein the operation of the receiver is interrupted during the operation of my improved tuning device.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a device which may be associated with radio receivers already in use or which may be built into a receiver and to provide a device which is positive and automatic in operation and simple and economical in manufacture.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a selected embodiment of my invention Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, the cover having been broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the selector (Cl. Z50-20) Fig. 4 is an end view of a mounting for one end of the control drum;

Fig. 5 is a detail view taken substantially on the line 5-5 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially 5 on the line 6 6 on Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a detail profile view of a selector member and stop switch;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are detail views of control members used on the control drum; 10 Fig. 11 is a detail elevational view showing the stop switches;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary end view of the control drum and a cooperating part;

Fig. 13 is a detail view taken substantially 15 on the line I3-I3 on Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a Wiring diagram.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings I5 indicates the cover frame which has brackets I6 and I'I ex- 20 tending horizontally thereacross. A bearing I8 is mounted on the bracket I6 and a shaft I9 is rotatably journaled therein. A disc is fast on the shaft I9 and has an axial opening in which one end of the shaft 2| of the control drum 22 25 is removably journaled. A disc 23 is fast on the shaft 2I and is adapted to engage the disc 20. The disc 23 has a pin 24 (Fig. 1) therein adapted to be extended into an opening 25 (Fig. 5) in the disc 20. Thus the end of the shaft 2| 30 adjacent the bracket I6 is supported from and connected to the disc 20 for rotation therewith. The other end of the shaft 2i is rested in a V- shaped groove 26 in a bearing block 2I fast on the bracket I'I and aligned with the bearing IB. 35 A leaf spring 28 is pivotally mounted on the bearing block 21 and when engaged with the stop pin 29 it bears on the end of the shaft 2I to force it toward the disc 20. When the leaf spring 28 is pivoted from engagement with the stop 40 pin 29, the shaft 2I may be moved relative to the V-shaped groove 26 and the other end thereof may then be disconnected from the disc 20 whereupon the control drum 22 may be removed.

As has been pointed out, radio programs on corresponding days in successive weeks correspond substantially and therefore I provide a control drum 22 for each day in the week. Each control drum has a plurality of circumferential grooves 30 therein in which the control members 50 are to be mounted. The number of grooves 30 corresponds to the number of stations to which it is desired to automatically tune the radio receiver with which this device is associated and ,in the present instance I have shown fifteen such grooves, each of which represents a different broadcasting station. Preferably a given control drum is arranged to control a radloreceiver for a twelve-hour period. I divide each of the grooves into a plurality of equalcorresponding divisions by providing openings 3| therein. These openings are so spaced apart that when the drum is completely rotated once in f twelve hours the openings represent fifteen-minute intervals. In order to facilitate the installations of control members in the openings 3|, calibrations are preferably provided at each end of the drum, and these calibrations are graduated in fteenminute intervals and are aligned with the open-A ings 3|, the corresponding openings 3| in the various grooves being aligned with each other.

Radio receivers are customarily tuned by variable condensers usually arranged in gangs but for the convenience of illustration I have shown but one such condenser, indicated by 32. Where a gang of such condensers are provided they are interconnected in a known manner for simultaneous operation. A continuation 33 is provided on the shaft of the rotor of the condenser and ts into a key socket bearing 34 on the end of the selector drum 35. The opposite end of the shaft 34 of the selector drum is rotatably journaled in a bearing in the bracket 36 carried by the base of the device.

The position of the rotor of the variable condenser with respect to the stator thereof determines the tuning of the radio receiver. Since the selector drum 35 and the rotor of the condenser 32 are interconnected, it is possible to determine the position of the rotor by determining the position of the selector drum. In order to position the selector drum so as to locate the rotor to tune the receiver to various broadcasting stations, I providea plurality of studs 31 on the periphery of the drum 35. I position Vthe studs on4 the periphery of the drum 35 so that each stud is aligned with one of the grooves 30 in the periphery of the control drum 22. The drum 35 has been described as being rotatably mounted and in order to impart rotary movement to the drum I secure a gear 38 on the shaft 34. A pinion 39 on the shaft 40 of the motor 4| meshes with the gear 38 and when the motor is set in operation the drum 35 is rotated. If desired a slip clutch may be disposed intermediate the shaft 40 of the motor and the shaft 34 of the drum 35. As the drum 35 rotates, the studs 31 successively move through a determined position which may be the horizontal diametrical plane of the drum 35. The rotor -and drum are so interconnected that asal given `stud 31 passes through the horizontal diametrical plane, the rotor is so positioned relative to the stator that the receiver is tuned to the broadcasting station represented by the groove 30 aligned with the stud 31 disposed in said piane. Hence by providing means to interrupt rotation of the drum 35 when a determined stud 31 is in the horizontal diametrical plane of the drum 35, I am enabled to selectively tune the receiver.

I have stated that the openings 3| are spaced apart to represent fifteen-minute intervals. This enables me to automatically re-tune the receiver every fifteen minutes should this be desired. However, a particular program to which this receiver is tuned may last for more than fifteen minutes as, for example, a half hour or even an hour. I therefore so arrange the device that the receiver may be re-tuned every fifteen minutes or so that it may be kept tuned to a selected station for a prolonged Aperiod of' time as, for example, an hour or more. To this end I provide control members 42. The control member 42 (Fig. 6) is arranged to keep the receiver tuned to a selected station for a fifteen-minute period. In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a control member 42 which is adapted to keep a. receiver tuned .to a. particular station for a one-'half hour period. 'Ihe control member 42", illustrated in Fig. 9, will keep the receiver tuned to a particular station for a three-quarter hour period while the control member 42', illustratedin Fig. 10, will keep the receiver tuned to a particular station for a onehour period. By arranging control members in endwise alignment in a particular groove, the receiver may be kept tuned to a selected station for any desired period of time. Each of the control members includes a pin 43 adapted to be tightly fitted into one of the openings 3|. To

select a desired station at a given time the pin on a control member is inserted into the opening 3| at the desired time and in the groove 30 representing the desired station. The time is determined by referring to the calibrations at the end .of the drum and calibration (not shown) may be associated with the grooves to facilitate selection of the station. The period of time during which it is desired to keep the receiver tuned to the selected station determines the kind o1' number of control members used. The drum 22 is moved in a step-by-step manner as Will be explained, at fteen-minute intervals, and if a. control member 42 has determined the tuning of the receiver, the receiver will be re-tuned at the end of a fifteen-minute period. However, if, for example, a control member 42" has effected tuning of the receiver, two of the step-by-step movements of the drum will not effect the tuning of the receiver fora control member 42" keeps the receiver tuned to a selected station for a forty-five minute interval and hence it is the third of the step-bystep movements which effects re-tuning of the receiver.

In order to impart a step-by-step movement to the control drum 22 I have, in the present instance, provided a spring motor, generally indicated by 44, although itis to be understood that an electrically operated motor or any other suitable power means might be used. A trip mechanism, such as that illustrated in detail in Fig. 5 is provided. This trip mechanism includes a control gear wheel 45 having teeth or notches in the periphery thereof, the number of which is determined by the number of openings 3| in the grooves 30, there being a notch to correspond to each opening in a series. A trigger 46 engages the notches on the gear Wheel 45 and this trigger is adapted to be released by the trip member 41 connected with a suitable clock mechanism so that it makes one revolution each hour. The trip member 41 includes four equally spaced trip fingers. release the trigger 46 every fifteen" minutes. When the trigger 46 is released, the gear wheel 45 rotates the distance of one tooth and this rotation is transmitted through a suitable gear train to the disc 20 which rotates the control drum 22 the distance between adjacent openings 3|.

A rod 48 extends between the brackets I6 and |1 and mounted at spaced intervas therealong and in alignment with the grooves 30 are the selector members 49. Each of the selector members has a roller 50 at the upper end thereof and these rollers are adapted to cooperate with the control members 42 at the time these members Hence, the trip member will act to...

move into the horizontal diametrical plane ol' the drum 22, which is the operating position thereof. Springs act on each of the selector members 59 and urge the same into engagement with a rotatable bar 52 carried by the brackets I8 and l1. This bar has a flattened side and during operation of the device the selector members engage this flattened side. However, when a control drum is to be removed and another substituted therefor, the rounded portion of the bar 52 is engaged with the seector members whereupon the rollers thereon are disposed in a position outwardly of the full-line position thereof in Fig. 6 so that these rollers are spaced from the periphery of the drum and therefore do not interfere with the installation and removal of a control drum. The springs 5| normally act on the selector members to urge the rollers 58 thereon toward the periphery of the drum 22 and when a control member 42 moves into operating position and engages the aligned roller 50, the selector member 49 carrying this roller is pivoted about the rod 48 to position the foot portion 53 in operating position, that is to say, to position this foot portion so that it may engage the stud 31 on the selector drum 35, which is aligned therewith, at the time this stud moves through the horizontal diametrical plane of the drum. When the foot portion so engages a stud, the rotor of the condenser is positioned to tune the receiver to the station corresponding to the groove 3|) in which the control member 42 actuating the selector member is arranged. When the foot portion 53 engages the aforesaid plug 31, circuit to the motor 4| is broken in a manner to be described to stop rotation of the drum 35.

Each selector member 49 has an opening 54 (Fig. 7) therein adjacent the lower end thereof. Each foot portion 53 includes a boss 55 which projects into an opening 54. A plate 56 is secured to each boss and slidably clamps the foot portion 53 to the selector member and since each opening 54 is larger than the boss 55 therein, the boss is capable of sliding movement in this opening. Normally each boss 55 is held in the upper end of the opening 54 in which it is mounted, by a spring 51, one end of the spring ybeing connected to the foot portion 53 and the opposite end being connected to a spring anchor on the selector member 49. A bock 58 o! insulating material is mounted on the outer side of each plate 56 and carries a contact 59. Another block 60 of insulating material is mounted on each selector member 49 and cares a contact 6| and normally the spring 51 holds the various contacts 59 in engagement with the respective contacts 6|. The contacts 59 and al on the various selector members 49 are connected in series, as illustrated in Fig. 11, so that the separation of any one contact 59 from its cooperating contact 6| opens the circuit. These contacts are arranged in a circuit controlling the circuit to the motor 4|, as will be described.

A series of openings 62 is provided at the end of the drum adjacent the motor 44. The openings 62, (Fig. 12) like the openings 3|, are spaced apart to represent fifteen-minute time intervals and preferably calibrations are aligned therewith to indicate the time, these calibrations corresponding with the calibrations at opposite ends and on the periphery of the control drum 22. Control members 63 are adapted to be mounted in the openings 62. A bracket 64 is secured to the bracket I6 and carries an arm 65 having a roller 66 thereon adapted for cooperation with the control members 63 and the end of the drum 22 to start and stop the radio receiver when used with my automatic tuning device.

As is shown in Fig. 14, line wires 18 and 1| are connected to a suitable source of electric current. 'Ihe line wire 1| leads to a main control switch 12 which may be arranged in an off position or selectively engaged with either the terminal 13 or the terminal 14. Terminals 16 and 11 are provided to which the circuit of the radio receiver is connected. The terminal 11 is connected through a conductor 18 to the line wire 18 and the terminal 16 is connected through the conductor 15 to the terminal 14. When the switch 12 is connected to the terminal 14, my automatic tuning device is rendered inoperative and the radio receiver may be operated in the usual manner.

When the switch 12 is engaged with the terminal 13, my automatic tuning device is renarm 68 fixed to a bracket carried by the frame When the roller 66 engages the end of thel Ui' drum 22, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the contacts 61 and 68 are separated and the radio receiver is inoperative as well as my automatic tuning device.

The contacts 61 and 68 are disposed in the main circuit of my automatic tuning device, as illustrated in Fig. 14 wherein it is shown that a conductor 13 interconnects the terminal 13 with the contact 61. A conductor 82 leads from the contact 68 to the armature 80 of an electromagnetic switch including an electro-magnet 19. A spring 8| normally acts on the armature 80 to hold said armature away from the magnet 19 and to hold the contact 83 on the armature in engagement with the contact 84. When the contact 83 engages contact 84, circuit is closed to the terminal 16, current flowing from line wire 1| ihrough switch 12, terminal 13, conductor 13', contact 61, contact 68, conductor 82, armature 89, contact 83, contact 94, conductor 85 and conductor 15 to terminal 16. Hence, so long as the contacts 61 and 68 and the contacts 83 and 84 are engaged, the radio receiver is operative.

It has been explained that the contacts 59 and 6| on the selector members 49 are connected in series. At the start of operation, before the device is operated to engage any one of the foot portions 53 with one of the studs 31, all of the contacts 59 and 6| are in engagement and therefore circuit is closed therethrough. The contacts 59 and 6|, in effect, provide but a single switch which I have illustrated in a conventional manner in Fig. 14. The contact 59 is connected by a conductor 89 to the line wire 10 and the contact 6| is connected by a conductor 9| to one end of the Winding of the electro-magnet 19. A conductor 92 interconnects the other end of the winding of the electro-magnet 19 with the conductor 82. It will thus be seen that when the contacts 59 and 6| are engaged circuit is closed to the winding of the electro-magnet 19 which, when energized, attracts the armature 83. When the armature 88 is so attracted. the contact 83 thereon engages the contact 8G and circuit is closed to the motor 4| from line wire 1| through switch 12, terminal 13, conductor 13', contact 61, contact 68, conductor 82, armature 80, contact 83, contact 86, conductor 81, motor 4| and conductor 88 to line wire 10.

The roller 66 originally engages a control member 63 Aat the start of an interval in the step-byestep movement imparted to the drum 22 and also as the step-by-step movement is imparted to the drum 22, a control member 42 moves into the horizontal diametrical plane of this drum in which position it engages one ofV the rollers 50 to so pivot the selector member 49 carrying this roller that the foot portion 53 of this selector member is disposed in position to engage a stud 31 moving through the horizontal diametrical piane of the drum 35, the drum being rotated by the motor 4|. At the time A a stud 31 engages the positioned foot portion 53,

this foot portion is moved downwardly which separates the contact 59 connected thereto from the cooperating contact 6| and this opens the circuit to the winding of the electro-magnet 19 which thereupon is deenergized and the spring 8| reengages the contact 83 with the contact 84 whereupon the circuit to the motor 4| is opened and the circuit to the radio receiver is closed. When the circuit to the motor 4| is opened rotation of the .drum 35 ceases and therefore the rotor of the condenser is in position to tune the receiver to the broadcasting station represented by the groove 30 in which the control member 42 actuating the roller is positioned and since circuit to the radio receiver is closed at this time, the receiver resumes operation. It is clear that at the time the motor 4| is operating, which is during the selection of a broadcasting station, the contact 83 is disengaged from contact 84 and the circuit to the receiver is open and the receiver, as stated, remains inoperative until it has been tuned. .Y

At the end of fteen minutes an interval in the step-by-step movement is imparted to the drum 22. If, upon such movement, the roller 66 does not engage a control member 63, the contacts 61 and 68 are separated and the radio receiver and my automatic tuning device are rendered inoperative. However, should the roller 66 engage a control member 63, the contacts 61 and 68 will be engaged. If the control member which eil'ected tuning on the prior operation is, for example, a control member 42', the roller 50 will, at the time the step-by-step movement is imparted to the drum 22, be held in the full-line position of Fig.

6 and consequently the foot portion 53 will remain in engagement with the stud 31 and therefore the contacts 59 and 6| on this selector member will remain disengaged and the receiver will continue to operate and will not be re-tuned. However, if a control member 42 (such a control member regulating operation for a fifteen-minute period) engaged a roller 50 on the previous step-by-step movement of the drum 22, the roller 50 will at this time move from engagement with this control member whereupon the foot portion 53 of the selector member carrying this roller will disengage the stud 31 and the spring 51 will reengage the previously separated contacts 59 and 6|. The reengagement of the contacts 59 and 6| again closes the circuit to the electromagnet 19 whereupon the motor 4| is rendered operative. By this time, however, a roller 58 will have engaged another control member on the periphery of the drum 22 and another foot por-v tion 53 will be disposed in position to engage a stud 31 and as soon as the proper stud moves into engagement with the foot portion of this selector member, circuit will be interrupted to the electro-magnet 19 and operation of the motor 4| will be stopped and circuit will again be closed to the radio receiver which will now be tuned to the station represented by the groove 3U in which the control member eecting positioning of the engaged foot portion 53 is disposed.

When the switch 12 is engaged with the con*1 tact 13 and control members 63 are provided on the end of the control drum 22 to keep the contacts 61 and 68 engaged, the radio receiver will continue to operate and will be re-tuned each time a roller 50 disengages the control member on the periphery of the drum with which it has 1u been engaged and another roller 50 engages another control member on the periphery of the drum disposed in a groove 30 different from that in which the previously engaged control member is arranged. When it is desired to keep the 15 receiver tuned to a particular station for a prolonged period of time, a plurality of control members are mounted in the proper groove 30 in endwise alignment and in abutment, and a plurality of control members 63 are also provided in end- 20 wise alignment and ln abutment. Since the contacts 59 and 6| on the selector member carrying the roller engaging the aligned control members in the proper groove 3U are separated, the electro-magnet 19 is not energized on the successive 25 step-by-step movements of the control drum 22.

Suppose, for example, the radio receiver is tuned to a particular station and it is desired to interrupt operation for a definite period of time and then to again listen to the station, all that 30 need be done is remove the control members 63 for this particular period and when the roller 66 moves from engagement with the last of the prior control members 63, the receiver will be shut oif. Preferably, the series of control mem- 35 bers in the groove 30 for the particular station will not be interrupted and therefore the receiver will remain tuned to the particular station and as soon as the step-by-step movement of the control drum 22 moves a control member 63 into en- 40 gagement with the roller 66, the circuit will again be closed and operation of the radio receiver will resume. Of course, it is not necesary to provide a continuous row ol' control members 42 for at the time the device is again rendered op- 45 erative, the roller 50 for the particular station may again be caused to reengage a control member in the groove for the particular station whereupon the drum 35 will be rotated until the stud 31 for that particular station engages the 50 positioned foot portion 53 which, as described, will interrupt circuit to the electro-magnet 19 and will render the radio receiver operative with the receiver tuned to the particular station.

By properly positioning control members in 5 the openings 3| and 62, my automatic tuning device may be arranged to effectuate operation of a radio receiver in an automatic manner so that as the various programs from broadcasting stations vary, the receiver will automatically be 60 tuned to the stations desired by the listener. The control members will be arranged in position prior to the installation of the drum 22 and the drum may be set up and stored when not in use. By providing a drum for each day in the 65 week and by changing the drums daily, the receiver is automatically tuned and in this way the listener will hear those programs which he desires, many of which are in the nature of serials and in this way the listener is assured that he will not miss an installment in the serial.

The device is entirely automatic in operation and requires no attention of the operator other than the arrangement of the control members in the proper openings.' Not only does the de- 75 vice automatically select the stations but it also controls the starting and stopping of the radio receiver. 'I'his in itself is an advantage for it prevents the receiver inadvertently being allowed to remain operative for protracted periods when not tuned to a station which obviously causes waste. Furthermore, by providing a double throw switch, I am enabled to operate the receiver in connection with my automatic tuning device or independently of it.

While I have illustratedand described a preferred form of my invention it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

1. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selecter drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and connected to the tuning means of the radio receiver, means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a plurality of stop means -mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, means on said stop means for interrupting operation of the means for rotating the selector drum, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting movement to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, and control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop means, the engagement of a control device with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation of said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station, the engagement of a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating the means on the stop means to interrupt operation of the means for rotating said drum.

2. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selector drum rotatably mounted in the supporting means and connected to the tuning means of the radio receiver, electrically operated means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a plurality of stop means mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, switch means on said stop means for interrupting the circuit to said electrically operated means, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality oi control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means ior imparting movement to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, and control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop means upon rotation of said control drum at said predetermined time intervals, the engagement of a control device with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation of said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station, the engagement of a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating the switch means to open the circuit to said electrically operated means.

3. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selector drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and connected to the tuning means of the radio receiver,

' means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a plurality of stop means mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, means on said stop means for interrupting operation of the means for rotating the selector drum, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting movement to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop'means, the engagementA of a control device with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation of said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station, the engagement of a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating. the means on the stop means to interrupt operation of the means for rotating said drum, and means for securing said control devices in said control positions whereby said control devices may be mounted in successive relation in one' of said control Apositions to thereby maintain continuous engagement with the stop means to hold said stop means in engagement with its cooperating stop member throughout a predetermined number of operations of said clock means whereby the radio receiver may be kept tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station for a predetermined length of time.

4. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selector drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and connected to the tuning means of the radio receiver, means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a plurality of stop means mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, means on said stop means for interrupting operation of the means for rotating the selector drum, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting movement to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop means, the engagement of a control device with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation oi said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station,the engagement oi a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating the means on the stop means to interrupt operation of the means for rotating said drum, and means for securing said control devices in different control positions in successive order so that rotation of the control drum at one of said time intervals will disengage one of said control devices from one-of saidstop means and engage the successive control device with another of said stop means, the disengagement of one of said control devices from one -oi said stop means effecting disengagement of the disengaged stop means from its cooperating stop member and operating the means thereon to effect operation ci the means for rotating said drum, the engagement of the successive control device with its cooperating stop means positioning this stop means for engagement with its cooperating stop member to interrupt operation of the selector drum whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to another broadcasting station, the engagement of the last-named stop means with its stop member operating the means on the stop member to interrupt operation of the means for rotating said drum.

5. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selector drum rotatably mounted in the supporting means and connected to the tuning means of the radio -receiver, electrically operated means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a plurality of vstop means mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, switch means on said stop means for interrupting the circuit to said electrically operated means, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting movement to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage ksaid stop means upon rotation of said control drum at said predetermined time intervals, the engagement of a control device with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation of said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of-the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station, the engagement of a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating the switch means to open the circuit to said electrically operated means, and means for securing Asaid control devices in said control positions l of time.

6. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selector drum rotatably mounted in the supporting means and connected to the tuning means oi the radio receiver, electrically operated means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a 5 plurality of stop means mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, switch means on said stop means for interrupting. the circuit to said electrically operated means; a con- 10 trol drum rotatably mounted in:y said supportingV means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting movement to said con- 15 trol drum at predetermined time intervals, control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop means upon rotation of said control drum at said predetermined time intervals, the engagement of a control device 20 with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member,

lcallyv operated means, and means for securing said control devices in diierent control positions in successive order so that rotation of the control drum at one of said time intervals will disengage one of said control devices from one of 35 said stop means and engage the successive control device with another of said stop means, the disengagement of one of said control devices from one of said stop. means eiecting disengagement of the disengaged stop means from its cooperat- 40 ing stop member and closing said switch meansA to effect operation of said electrically operated means, the engagement of'the successive control device with its cooperating stop means positioning this stop means for engagement with its co- 45 operating stop member to interrupt operation oi the selector drum whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to another broadcasting station, the engagement of the last-named stop means with its stop member opening said 50 switch means to interrupt operation of the electrically operated means. l

7. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a'selector drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and 55 connected to the tuning means of the radio receiver, means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said' drums, a plurality of stop means pivotally mounted in said supporting means, each 60 of said stop means being engageable with one of said stop members, means for urging said stop means from engagement with said stop members, means on said stop means for interrupting operation oi' the means for rotating the selector 65 drum, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting move- 70 ment to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, and control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop means to move said stop means against the action of the means acting thereon to urge said stop 75 means from engagement with said stop members, the engagement of a control device with one of said stop means positioning this stop means to engage the cooperating stop member, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation of said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station, the engagement of a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating the means on the stop means to interrupt operation of the means for rotating said drum.

8. In a device for automatically tuning a radio receiver, supporting means, a selector drum ron tatably mounted in the supporting means and connected to the tuning means of the radio receiver, electrically operated means for rotating said drum during each tuning operation, a plurality of spaced stop members on said drum, a plurality of stop means pivotally mounted in said supporting means, each of said stop means being engagcable with one oi said stop members, means for urging said stop means from engagernent with said stop members, switch means 0n said stop means for interrupting the circuit to said electrically operated means, a control drum rotatably mounted in said supporting means and having a plurality of control positions distributed therealong, each of said control positions being aligned with one of said stop means, clock means for imparting movement to said control drum at predetermined time intervals, and control devices selectively located in said control positions to engage said stop means upon rotation of said control drum at said predetermined time intervals, the engagement of said control devices with said stop means pivoting said stop means against the action of the means acting thereon, each of said stop members being so positioned that upon engagement thereof with the cooperating stop means rotation of said selector drum is interrupted whereupon the tuning means of the radio receiver is tuned to a predetermined broadcasting station, the engagement of a stop member with the cooperating stop means operating the switch means to open the circuit to said electrically operated means.

CHARLES E. PASCHALI. 

